This is what an immortal should be like

Chapter 269 A Clever Trick Backfires: Lingxiao Appears in the World
Driven by intense curiosity, Zhuang Lin tried his best to communicate with Chang Ruoyu, the leader of the Yanzhen Sect, in a calm manner, but without asking directly, he still couldn't get the full picture.

However, Zhuang Lin was still aware of the so-called lofty ambition that Chang Ruoyu mentioned.

The idea of ​​severing the connection between heaven and earth is actually something that the vast majority of the cultivation world, at least the most accomplished cultivators, are well aware of, though the degree of awareness varies, and many also believe that there will be a turning point.

The True Path sect believes that the severing of the connection between Heaven and Earth is inextricably linked to the Heavenly Realm.

The celestial realm here does not refer to the upper realm after the Heavenly Connection, but rather to the location of the Heavenly Court in the secular sense. Moreover, although the gods travel around, the Heavenly Court above the Heavenly Steps has been closed for many years, which makes it even more suspicious.

Zhuang Lin, an outsider, didn't know much about the specific details. He only knew that the True Dao Sect had wanted to shatter the Heavenly Realm for a long time.

They believed that the Heavenly Court suppressed the destiny of heaven and earth, and that as long as the Heavenly Realm was shattered, the severance of the connection between heaven and earth might be alleviated or even broken.

Some even believe that the Heavenly Court's closure is inextricably linked to its avoidance of the True Path of the Dao group of madmen.

The fact that Lingxiao reached the highest level of enlightenment can be seen as a sign of the True Dao's determination to break through the Lingxiao Heavenly Palace. This is the opinion of outsiders, and also the opinion of many people in the True Dao themselves.

However, after coming into contact with the Yanzhen Sect, especially after meeting Dao Yanzi, Zhuang Lin believed that Lingxiao Zhizhi was the lofty ambition of those who pursued immortality and cultivation, and aspired to become true immortals.

Without destruction, there can be no construction. We must strive to climb higher, shatter all shackles, seek the truth of the immortal path, and realize the true oneness of our path!

Once the sacred realm arrives, the heavens will be shattered!

This is also a famous saying that is widely circulated in the Daoist community!
However, Zhuang Lin certainly wouldn't bring up Ling Xiaozhi's ambition at this moment. Chang Ruoyu's words could also be understood as a worldly way of saying, "Let's see if other members of the True Path still have any ambition."

During their conversation, Chang Ruoyu almost impatiently invited him into the Immortal Palace and explained that he had some precious books to ask him about.

Zhuang Lin was in no hurry to explain his purpose. After so much cultivation, he had already reached the Perfection of the True Person Realm, but he was now facing some limitations.

Even though he benefited from the nameless cultivation method, the Taiji Yin Yang Five Elements inscription in the Taiji Temple, his own cultivation deductions, and Xi Miao's classic texts, he gained many insights from these combined factors.

Taking that step is by no means easy, especially in this era where it represents pioneering and unprecedented innovation, so one cannot afford to make even the slightest mistake.

If he takes the wrong path, Zhuang Lin believes that in the distant future, he might become an advanced version of the True Path.

As the True Path sect claims to be the orthodox lineage of immortal cultivation since ancient times, the things practiced within the sect are certainly closest to true cultivation. At the very least, their research is more in-depth than others, and they may even possess some rare and unique books.

However, this is the very foundation of cultivation within this sect, and even disciples of varying ranks can only see a portion of it; showing it to outsiders is a major taboo.

Zhuang Lin would never bring it up lightly. Although he had considered looking into it later, he was thinking of waiting for the Yanzhen Sect or other sects of the Zhenyi Sect to ask for his guidance, at which point he could take a look.

Today, since Emperor Yanzhen himself has asked for advice, Zhuang Lin will naturally not let go of such a good opportunity and will certainly agree without hesitation.

Sure enough, after welcoming Zhuang Lin into the Immortal Palace and serving him tea, Chang Ruoyu shook his sleeves with a mixture of anticipation and trepidation.

Several beams of light flew out from Chang Ruoyu's sleeve, appearing as several books on Zhuang Lin's desk. However, most of them were tattered, the only difference being the degree of damage.

"Senior, this was left by the Thousand Blade Sect and the Autumn Wind Valley. We have been studying it for a long time, but we still cannot understand or see through it. However, such a book must be extremely precious. We have had many exchanges with various branches and sects of the True Dao, but we have never seen anything related to this book. After thinking it over, we can only ask the senior to enlighten us!"

As soon as Chang Ruoyu finished speaking, the Grand Elder of Yanzhen Sect couldn't help but chime in.

"When we were comprehending this book, our internal organs trembled and our souls pounded. Our senior uncle and the sect leader even experienced turmoil in their primordial spirits. This shows how extraordinary this book is. Although our fellow Daoists from both sects trust us, they will eventually take it back. If we don't take advantage of this opportunity, things will be very different in the future."

Zhuang Lin's attention was now focused on those books. Although they were all incomplete, the titles were similar, and they were either main volumes or side volumes.

The Record of Taiyi?
Zhuang Lin's mind was already mostly on the book, but he was eager to look at it. Instead, he looked at Chang Ruoyu and one of the few others who dared to speak up at this moment.

"The Thousand Blade Sect and Autumn Wind Valley?"

Zhuang Lin frowned and asked, "Is it also true?"
However, Chang Ruoyu smiled and thought for a moment before speaking.

"It is precisely because of these two fellow Daoists that we have come to understand the senior's intentions. Of course, we are wary, but these two fellow Daoists should be friends, not enemies."

Zhuang Lin was still somewhat confused, but he knew that today's events were related to the two sects. However, he didn't say much, just nodded slightly, and then waved his hand, and several books flew onto the table in front of him.

The book consists of seven volumes, from the main text to the supplementary volumes.

Just looking at them gives me a special feeling.

Zhuang Lin reached out and touched the first volume of the book, then the second and third volumes. He didn't open them, but just felt something, and the Yanzhen Sect disciples around him didn't dare to disturb him.

It's a pity, a pity. It failed to inspire the transmission of the Dao from heaven and earth. The path of the Dharma lineage was almost completely destroyed, with only a trace of its essence remaining in the book.

"Hey!"

Zhuang Lin couldn't help but sigh. The ancient scroll was indeed an ancient scroll, but it was a pity!

The first book is simply called "Taiyi Lu" (太一录), without any terms like "one, two, three, four" or "positive and negative," so it must have been a relatively important book, and also the one that was the most badly damaged.

The entire book was almost completely burned and damaged by some kind of force majeure, like thunder and fire, or like corrosion, yet it still stubbornly retains a trace of its ancient origin.

The book was opened, and the back pages were all covered with small pieces of paper, except for the first page, which had a little more, about half a page.

Zhuang Lin activated his divine eyes, treating the object in his hands with the utmost respect.

Page 1. The Immortal Book, Chapter of Taiyi!
"Taiyi is the origin of the universe and the source of chaos. Understanding Taiyi allows one to comprehend the workings of heaven and earth, the natural creation of Qian and Kun, and to comprehend the wondrous union of Yin and Yang with the Five Elements and the primordial spirit."

For some reason, Zhuang Lin subconsciously read it aloud.

At that moment, Zhuang Lin's hand holding the book seemed to suddenly become burning hot.

No, it's not my hands that are burning, it's the book that's burning!
At the same moment, the remaining six books also shone brightly.

"Wow~~~"

All seven books, along with the one in Zhuang Lin's hand, burst into flames at the same moment, and in that same instant, the aura Zhuang Lin felt instantly increased countless times.
"forward"

Someone inside the hall instinctively tried to speak, but immediately covered his mouth with his hand.

The members of the Yanzhen Sect, including Chang Ruoyu, looked at Zhuang Lin and the book in front of him with shock and a bit of bewilderment.

Zhuang Lin's right hand was still clutching the burning book, yet he seemed completely unaware of it.

Chang Ruoyu stretched his hands to both sides, and at his signal, the disciples all stepped back a distance. Clearly, Senior Zhuang had entered a state of enlightenment and should not be disturbed.

As for how to explain these seven precious books to the Thousand Blade Sect and Autumn Wind Valley, that's a headache for later!

Zhuang Lin remained engrossed in his book, his gaze seemingly unable to look away from the burning flames, as if a massive explosion was occurring deep within his mind.

"Boom——"

Although Zhuang Lin remained seated, he felt a tremendous change occurring within his body.

This was truly a cataclysmic change in the world. The immense explosion that the Dao manifested in this realm seemed to shatter everything, reducing all to chaos.
In this broken chaos, Zhuang Lin seemed to become completely dazed and confused, unaware of his own existence.

But at that moment, a mighty voice rang out.

"Taiyi is the origin of the universe and the source of chaos."

This was Zhuang Lin's own voice. His consciousness seemed to be gradually returning at this moment. He had no body and seemed to have merged with the chaos.

At the same time, Zhuang Lin also saw and even felt everything, and all sorts of memories came flooding back.

The self who used to work, the self who came here, the self who taught in a rural area, the self who witnessed the Dao of Immortality, the innate diagram that I comprehended myself, the unorthodox cultivation experience gained from the nameless, the ancient texts and divination techniques of Ximiao, the principles of Yin and Yang and the Five Elements.
Everything was chaotic and complicated, but at this moment, Zhuang Lin saw it all with remarkable clarity.

As this clarity increased, Zhuang Lin seemed to be able to feel his own body.

Rumble rumble rumble rumble.
As Zhuang Lin's perception intensified, the chaos violently trembled, seemingly becoming clearer above and more turbid below.

Is this the beginning of the separation of heaven and earth?
So where am I?
Zhuang Lin was caught in this dilemma, yet he felt that he was everywhere, that he was everything.
At this moment, Yin and Yang separated into upper and lower realms, and five-colored radiance surged and manifested endlessly throughout the universe. Zhuang Lin, though without a physical body, felt the phantom pain of a physical body, and it grew stronger and stronger.

Is it due to an instability of the five elements?

Zhuang Lin couldn't remember what book he was reading; he only knew that he was witnessing everything and responding to each move as it came, but he couldn't suppress his five qi.

The more distinct heaven and earth became, the more turbulent the five elements became, and the stronger the pain became, to the point that Zhuang Lin felt palpitations.

Zhuang Lin kept recalling all the cultivation information he knew, including what he had realized himself and what he had learned and read: the Innate Diagram, the nameless alien primordial spirit transformation, Xi Miao's Yi Jing, and the Five Elements theory of Taiji Guan.

At this moment, the chaos of heaven and earth was constantly twisting and pulling, and Zhuang Lin even saw what seemed to be the birth and collapse of giants, as if the innate true spirit was always in turmoil.

This is me!
I am the giant, I am heaven and earth, I am the five elements, I am the turbulent one!

The auspicious beasts that manifested from the Five Elements, embodying the Yin-Yang principle, seemed to suppress some of the Five Elements' energy, but it was still not enough.

It's so painful, I feel like I'm going to die.
In real life, Zhuang Lin also had a furrowed brow, and fine beads of sweat began to appear on his face and body.

Chang Ruoyu and the others didn't even dare to breathe!
At that moment, Zhuang Lin suddenly saw a scroll, and in the next instant, five colored symbols appeared beneath the auspicious beasts representing the five elements.

Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, Black Tortoise, Qilin.

Wood, Metal, Fire, Water, Earth.

There are also true-to-life maps of the Five Sacred Mountains.
In an instant, the five elements converged and, at the moment when the chaos of heaven and earth was divided as Zhuang Lin saw it, transformed into five mountains of different colors.

In an instant, the world became completely clear and bright!
In an instant, the sun and moon appeared as eyes, as if giants had opened their eyes.
Everything became comfortable, everything became clear, and an unprecedented feeling arose within Zhuang Lin, as if he knew the past and the future, as if he could know the universe from a single object.
"Rumble--"

In the heavens above, it seemed as if the stars were trembling, marking yet another imprint of the Dharma lineage on the path ahead in the world.

The tremor was so great and intense that not only Zhuang Lin himself could feel it, but all those who cultivated the lineage related to him could also feel the upheaval, regardless of whether they were in modern times or ancient times!
At this moment, Zhuang Lin, who was sitting in the Immortal Palace of the Yanzhen Sect, was radiating five-colored light.

A person exactly like Zhuang Lin, and almost the same size, rose from his body and walked out. He had clothes, hands, and feet, and his hair was also finely detailed.
At the same moment, the five elements of energy inside and outside the Immortal Palace were activated, converging and gathering together. The five-colored light made the two Zhuang Lins appear as if they were ancient immortals reborn.
Chang Ruoyu and everyone from Yanzhen Sect stood there dumbfounded, with tears welling up in the eyes of many of them.

The true essence manifests, the primordial spirit of the Lingxiao Sacred Realm!

(End of this chapter)